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General discussion

Thinking about buying sony's dcr-dvd92 and got some ?'s

Dec 4, 2005 7:33AM PST

ok well ive been wondering can you edit films with the sony dcr dvd 92 and also with what softwares and and if so how do you get the films on to your computer. Ive also been curios if anyone ahs had this camcorder and has got any suggestions about it, thanks

Discussion is locked

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Don't get DVD camera!!!!
Dec 8, 2005 6:24AM PST
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Good and Bad
May 16, 2006 12:20PM PDT

I have this same camcorder. If you are a person who does BASIC video recording, this is for you. Very easy interface. If you are one who wants to edit on the computer, this is NOT for you. There is NO way to transfer video to the computer. I am that kind of person and personally dislike this camcorder. Hope this helps.

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don't
May 19, 2006 4:18AM PDT

I know this is late responding, but maybe you can utilize my experience so far:
I got the 92 for Xmas shots, and ended up taking the camera back. We liked almost every aspect of the camera, but the playback picture quality on our computer (off the mini -RW disk) was worse than our old Sony Hi-8 camera, though on our 36 in. tube TV it seemed tolerable. And, though I didn't use it, everyone says that Sony's editing software is pretty useless too. I paid a little over $400 for the 92, but from all my research so far, I'd go $800-$900 for the new 505 model.
Everything I see there is worth it to me, although they say the software still stinks. I'll just use Roxio Creator for editing I think. Contrary to popular opinion, we find the DVD idea a good one, and one we prefer over tapes. Salesmen and testers keep pushing DV cameras over DVD, but after 15 years of tapes, we found the DVD format enormously easier to navigate and use; you just have to follow the instructions with care and you should be okay. DVD is probably the future anyway, so get a jump on things - the engineering may not be perfect in every little way yet, but I had no difficulties, and the easy-cam feature and touch-screen thumbnail navigation is so much easier. I pooh-pooh the people bemoaning fingerprints on the touch-screen. So what, I say. Big deal.
You'll find extra $$ spent on last year's 403 to be worth it, over the 92 - the picture is superior, and you get Dolby 5.1 sound (just be careful of wind across the microphone). I almost went with the 403, but heard about the new models coming only 2 months away (Dec. to Feb.), and am glad I waited. For less than $900 (shop around) I can get a 405 or 505 with a huge screen (for my aging eyesight) and tiltable color viewfinder. I don't know why Sony won't upgrade their software, though - too busy concentrating on DVD format development and CCD engineering I guess.

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don't #2
May 19, 2006 4:28AM PDT

Lest I forget, the issue with the small 10X zoom is inherent to the larger CCD cameras. 20X would be nice, but it isn't the real world here. For $30-$50 you can get a good aftermarket (not Sony $$$) 2X lens that screws over the camera lens and will give you more zoom if you have a 403 to 505 camera and are in a situation where you need the power.

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"Haf Canadian", I have a question for u.
May 19, 2006 5:29AM PDT

In your post "dont #2", where can you get a lens for the camcorder for 30-50 dollars. Sounds very reasonable. I also have a Sony DVD92 and HATE IT. lol. Just wonderin anyway. Thanx.

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answer
May 20, 2006 5:30AM PDT

Many companies make what's known as conversion lenses that you can screw onto the front of your camcorder. You have to get the right size, of course, and it is best used outdoors, since it is counter to the wider angles preferred indoors. Conversion lenses have different powers, but the best application for yours is probably the 2X, which would effectively give you 40X zooming.
Keep in mind that as soon as you screw it on, your "normal" view for close in shots will have doubled. I personally probably wouldn't put a conversion lens on the DCR DVD 92, since its zoom is already fairly capable. But since I'm opting for a camera with better quality CCD sensors and therefore better video, and since such cameras so far only go to 10X zoom because of engineering constraints with those larger CCD's, I will get a 2X conversion lens for my outdoor videos when I buy my hoped-for DCR DVD 505. Your built-in 20X zoom would certainly be easier than screwing a lens on and off as circumstances change from close-in to far-away, but I also get additional protection for the Carl Zeiss lens from the extra one I add, although a UV filter lens would also provide that protection.
Lots of stores sell the conversion lenses, and, as usual, aftermarket lenses are cheaper. Sony makes them, and I think they have different qualities to choose from - you get what you pay for, so to preserve whatever video quality you already have, you should try to research for the best conversion lens you can afford. I didn't see them on their website, but I know Ritz Camera (Wolfe Camera) has them in their stores. Personal experience and online research has taught me that they are high priced but they provide fantastic customer service and have the most knowledgeable staff. To peruse lenses online, go to Best Buy's site, I think under camcorders and accessories, lenses; you should find all kinds of conversion lenses. I'm not saying to buy there necessarily, should take a look at some options. You might look at CompUSA and Circuit City as well, and their stores may have them on display.